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OVERVIEW
What is Windows Thin PC? Windows Thin PC (WinTPC) is an upcoming Microsoft Software Assurance (SA) benefit that provides a low footprint, locked down version of Windows 7 that enables organizations to repurpose existing PCs as thin clients, thereby reducing the need for new thin client hardware. And since these PCs retain their existing SA coverage, they do not need any additional Windows Virtual Desktop Access (VDA) licensing for VDI. WinTPC offers an excellent thin client experience by locking down the PC through write filters, while still providing users with a superior remote desktop experience through RemoteFXTM support. IT can deploy and manage WinTPC images to multiple PCs using System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM), and push updates to these PCs using Windows Update or Windows Server Update Services (WSUS). Additionally, WinTPC leverages Windows Enterprise features such as BitLocker and AppLockerTM to further secure the endpoint. What kind of hardware can I run WinTPC on? WinTPC is a locked down version of Windows 7, and hence, will be able to run on any device capable of running Windows 7. The recommended specifications for running Windows Thin PC are: 1 GHz or faster 32-bit (x86) processor 1 GB RAM, 16 GB available hard disk space DirectX 9 graphics device with Windows Display Driver Manager (WDDM) 1.0 or later version driver Bootable DVD-ROM drive Can I install WinTPC on laptops, as well? Yes, WinTPC leverages the extensive Windows 7 device driver framework, and has built-in support for wireless NICs. As long as the laptops have the configuration mentioned above, it will support WinTPC. However, the same use rights apply to WinTPC on a laptop as on a PC, and the remote desktop experience over a wireless network may not be as good as on a wired connection. Can I run applications on WinTPC? Yes, you can run applications that fall into one of the following categories: Security Management Terminal emulation Remote Desktop and similar technologies Web browser Media player Instant messaging client Document viewers .NET Framework and Java Virtual Machine However, you cannot run any productivity applications, such as Microsoft Office or similar applications. Can I run WinTPC in a virtual machine? WinTPC has been designed to help customers repurpose existing PCs as thin clients. Since thin client OSs are not designed for or supported in a virtual machine (VM), WinTPC is not supported in a VM. What languages does WinTPC support? WinTPC supports only English at Release to Manufacturing (RTM). However, most international peripherals (such as keyboards) are supported. Even though WinTPC is not designed to run applications locally, users get localized experiences by remoting into a full Windows desktop running another language.
May 2011
What is the difference between Windows Embedded Standard 7 and Windows Thin PC? Windows Thin PC has been developed using the Windows Embedded Standard 7 (WES7) codebase, which in turn has been derived from the proven Windows 7 platform. Although both products look and feel very similar and share common features, there are some differences. These include: 1. Availability: WES7 is only available on thin client devices through the OEM channel, while WinTPC is available as an SA benefit through Microsoft Volume Licensing (VL). 2. Pricing: WES7 is sold to OEMs, and thin client devices are then purchased from the OEM. WinTPC is free of cost to SA customers, while non-SA customers will have to buy SA, Windows SA, or Windows Intune to get WinTPC. 3. Image size: WinTPC has a fixed image size, while WES7 images are flexible and can be configured by the OEM. This may result in WES7 images having either smaller or larger footprints than WinTPC devices, depending on the configurations defined by the OEM device. 4. Hardware efficiency: WES7 thin client hardware is usually more locked down and power efficient than WinTPC devices, which are repurposed PCs. 5. Enterprise features: Features such as BitLocker, AppLocker, and DirectAccess are built into the base image, while these features are available on request from OEMs. What is Microsofts recommendation to customers to adopt WinTPC? 1. Use Microsofts Optimized Desktop strategy to determine the most appropriate use cases for server based desktops. For these use cases, determine which users would benefit most from thin clients (i.e. those users who need local desktops or applications). Customers who have already decided on thin client computing and want the benefits of thin client devices should consider buying Windows Embedded thin clients from Microsofts OEM partners. 2. For customers who are evaluating the thin client experience for pure server based desktop scenarios, repurpose existing PCs using WinTPC. Customers will be able to evaluate the thin client experience without buying new thin client hardware, or paying the associated VDA licensing costs for VDI. WinTPC provides an excellent thin client experience, due to support for RemoteFX, as well as the ability to lock down writes to hard disk through write filters. WinTPC can also be managed using the existing desktop management infrastructure through support for System Center. In case customers decide they do not like the thin client computing experience, they have the option to repurpose the devices back as PCs. 3. Once customers have decided to move forward with thin client computing and the WinTPCs have reached end of life, they can replace them with new Windows Embedded thin clients from Microsoft partners such as HP and Wyse. Windows Embedded thin clients integrate with System Center, and hence customers can easily leverage all security and management investments made in WinTPC.